Head On

In order to get away from the traditional strictness of her family the 20-year old Sibel (Sibel Kekilli) convinces the disillusioned alcoholic Cahit (Birol Ünel) of a marriage of convenience with no strings attached. But Cahit falls in love with her. When Sibel also discovers her love for him it’s too late: in a jealous rage Cahit has beaten her lover to death. After his release from prison Cahit finds Sibel in Istanbul and still hopes that they can have a future together.

Festival/Awards:

Golden Bear at the 54. Berlin International Film Festival, German Film Award 2004 for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Camera; European Film Award for Best Film 2004, Fipresci-Award for Best Actress and Actor (Sibel Kekilli and Birol Ünel), Film Festival Turkey Germany – Nürnberg, German Camera Award for Rainer Klausmann, Gilde-Film Award in Gold 2004 for the Best German Film, Audience Award in the section “Europa, Europa“ at the Festival de Cine in Sevilla, Bester Film at the Ourense Film Festival in Spainn, Editor Award Feature Film 2004 for Andrew Bird, Goya-Award as Best European Film by the Spanish Film Academy 2005, NSFC Award 2005 for Best Foreign-Language Picture.